Adeleke and Oyetola clash over state debts

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has said that it will take the state 28 years to repay N18 billion loans his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, took after losing the governorship election.

According to the governor, the state is indebted to the tune of N407.32 billion.

Speaking with traditional rulers in Osogbo on Thursday, December 15, Adeleke noted that Oyetola must explain why the state is owing N76 billion in salaries and pensions after receiving N50 billion salary bailout from the federal government.

He said his administration inherited eight loan facilities alongside pension and debts, adding that the repayment period of the loans ranges from 16 months to 28 years.

He said: "My good people of Osun State, the total loan stock as of today is N331.32billion.

"If the N76 billion debt on salaries and pension are added, the state is indebted to the tune of N407.32 billion. The amount owed to contractors is yet to be determined.

"The only fund in government coffers, as of Monday 29th November, was for November 2022 Salary. Otherwise, the state treasury was empty.

"As your governor, I will ask questions on your behalf and will demand answers,” Adeleke told the traditional rulers.

"Governor Oyetola must explain how the N331 Billion borrowed in the name of Osun State was expended, with no obvious infrastructural development to justify this huge debt.

"Governor Oyetola must explain how the N18 Billion Bridge Loan taken after he lost the election on July 16, 2022, was expended.

"Governor Oyetola must also explain why Osun State is owing salaries and pension to the tune of N76 Billion after collecting a N50 Billion Salary Bail Out Loan from the Federal Government.

"The creditors, especially the Commercial Banks must explain why various loans were given to an administration beyond its four-year tenure. 28 years is equivalent to the tenure of at least four governors. A child that is born today would have earned a Ph.D. at 28 years of age. This is nothing but mortgaging the future of Osun State with nothing to show for it. This is definitely not acceptable."

The immediate past governor, Oyetola, on his part claimed that the N407.32billion debt was incurred by ex-governor Rauf Aregbesola during his administration.

He debunked the accusations saying his government never took any loan during the four-year tenure.

Oyetola, through his media aide, Ismail Omipidan, in a statement described the allegation by Governor Adeleke as false.

He slammed the governor saying that his actions are borne out of ignorance and mischief.

Oyetola also challenged Adeleke to publish details of the outstanding loan facilities he claimed his administration inherited and the years they were procured.

BS